The “Reading with the Rays” program has come to an end, but the boys of summer are still playing (and, of course, you should keep reading). Be sure to keep tabs on the Rays throughout the rest of the season on the pages of the Tampa Bay Times. We want to keep reading your thoughts on the NIE Blogging Zone too. This week, we want you to write a short poem about your Tampa Bay Rays. Share your poem here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Who is your favorite Tampa Bay Rays player this year? Check out the stats of your favorite Rays in the Tampa Bay Times. Share your thoughts about who you think the MVP should be this year here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Your Tampa Bay Rays know the meaning of determination and teamwork. Look on the pages of the Tampa Bay Times for photos, illustrations, comics and headlines that represent teamwork and determination. How are these qualities represented in the Times? What is the importance of teamwork at home, at school and in your community? Have you read about a character in a book that has determination and/or shows teamwork? Share your thoughts here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

It is week seven of the Reading with the Rays: Read your way to the ballpark summer reading program. Time to stretch! We want to hear about some of the books you have been reading. Tell us about your favorite book and character. Are you also reading the Tampa Bay Times? Who is your favorite writer? Share your thoughts here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Having courage is an important character trait. What does the word "courage" mean to you? Do you know anyone who is courageous? Select a story or photo from the Tampa Bay Times that you think focuses on an act of courage. Write a paragraph describing in detail how the courage is shown in this article or photo. Share your thoughts on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Raymond loves reading books, but he also likes reading the comics in the Tampa Bay Times.The comic strips in the newspaper often reflect real life. Read through the comic strips in theTimes. As you read, look for examples of honesty or truthfulness in each character’s speech andactions, and write a brief paragraph about the comic strip and the qualities you have discovered.Share your thoughts here on the NIE Blogging Zone. In addtion, tell us what your favorite comic strip is and why.

Tampa Bay Rays’ mascot Raymond has the perfect job. You can read more about Raymond and his favorite books in the Reading with the Rays publication. Read the sports articles in the Tampa Bay Times, and identify a variety of jobs and careers that would be associated with baseball or othersports. List these jobs on a piece of paper. Share your list and favorite jobs here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Hey summer readers: We are now in week 3 of the Read your Way to the Ball Park Reading with the Rays summer reading program. As you read about the Rays players in the Reading with the Rays publication, you will noticed that the Rays players featured in the “Reading with the Rays” program are all good citizens. What is a good citizen? What characteristics does a good citizen have? Look through the pages of the Tampa Bay Times to find an example of a good citizen. Share the information you find here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Hi summer readers: We are in week 2 of the Read your Way to the Ballpark Reading with the Rays summer reading program. This week's activity focuses on the Tampa Bay Times sports writers. The Tampa Bay Times sports writers, Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and Gary Shelton, keep tabs the Rays so readers can be in the know. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a sports reporter or columnist? Here is your chance to ask an expert. Ask Times writers your questions here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Need more infomation about the Reading with the Rays summer reading program? Go to our Reading with the Rays web page.

It seems there is a lot of chatter and controversy about the Common Core Standards. According to this article in the Miami Herald, "Separating fact from fiction about Common Core education standards," there has been a recent backlash against the standards. However, the implementation of the Common Core standards has the backing of major business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

What are your thoughts about this article and the Common Core Standards? Did any of the facts surprise you? Share your thoughts here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Now that it is summer vacation for Tampa Bay students and teachers, it is time to kick back with a good book, the Tampa Bay Times and the amazing American League Tampa Bay Rays. Once again, the Rays have teamed up with the Times Newspaper in Education (NIE) program for a summer of reading fun.

Our annual summer reading program, Reading with the Rays, has begun. Elementary school students who participate will have an opportunity to win a ticket to see the Rays in action at Tropicana Field. Get everything you need to play at your local county library. The game details and more can be foundat tampabay.com/nie/raysreading.

Although this program is geared toward students in grades 3-5, all students can participate. You will find children's and young adult's book lists on the Reading with the Rays website.

In addition, you can keep track of the Rays by reading the Sports section of the Tampa Bay Times every day. Keep a log of all of the Rays games and plays. Share your thoughts about the games, playersand visitor stadiums here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Summer vacation is just around the corner, and once again the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education program has joined forces with the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay area libraries to help combat the summer slide. The 2013 Reading with the Rays publication will be headed to Tampa Bay area schools and libraries this week. Check out the publication here.

Summer is a great time to relax, get in some extra exercise and fun and keep your brain active. There is no better way to exercise your mind than by reading. Although Reading with the Rays is focused on students in grades 3-5, all students are eligible to participate by reading books, and, of course, the Tampa Bay Times. Check out our book lists on the Reading with the Rays website.

What are your favorite children's and young adult books? Share your favorite titles in the comment section, and we may add them to the list.

According to the Common Core Standards website: "The Common Core State Standards standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy."

Forty-six states have adopted these standards, which focus on a deeper learning in which students will become capable of taking what they have learned in one situation and applying it to new situations. One major focus of the Common Core curriculum is to build knowledge through content rich nonfiction and informational text.

What are your thoughts about the new standards? What are you doing during the 2012-2013 school year to implement some of these new standards into your curriculum? Teachers - please share your thoughts with us here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

About the blog

The NIE Blogging Zone is a great place for teachers, parents and school administrators to share their thoughts about how they are using the Tampa Bay Times in their classrooms and to share thoughts about teaching, classroom management, the school system and education in general. If you have a burning topic to suggest or questions about the blogging zone, e-mail jpushkin@tampabay.com